as in illusions
an image that tricks a person's vision
Some may dismiss what we witnessed that night as an optical illusion, but we firmly believe it was a UFO.
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Recent Examples of optical illusions
Known for surrealistic designs and sculptural shapes, Harri transformed mostly wide-leg jeans into optical illusions with through prints and gradients.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
Brief, startling moments of illumination are everywhere in its stories; so are all kinds of optical illusions and distortions.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
What Schiaparelli observed in good faith, and Lowell in blind faith, were optical illusions caused by dust storms and the chance alignment of surface features like craters.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
Museum of Illusions, an international edutainment franchise, offers interactive optical illusions and sensory experiences.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
Brief, startling moments of illumination are everywhere in its stories; so are all kinds of optical illusions and distortions.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
What Schiaparelli observed in good faith, and Lowell in blind faith, were optical illusions caused by dust storms and the chance alignment of surface features like craters.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
Museum of Illusions, an international edutainment franchise, offers interactive optical illusions and sensory experiences.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for optical illusions
Noun
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While magicians use illusions to make objects float, physicists pursue levitation for its practical advantages.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
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Audience online have embraced the musical's campy humor, jaw-dropping stage illusions and sing-along score, with bootleg of the production going viral on TikTok and YouTube.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The idea that renewables alone can power the American economy is nonsense given the current technology, green pipe dreams notwithstanding.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In Good Boy, Indy investigates strange noises and ghostly apparitions in the remote country house.—
Laura Martin,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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In winter, breath crystallizes in the air, and the animals resemble pale apparitions in an otherworldly landscape of snow and ice.—
Susan Portnoy,
AFAR Media,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Optical illusions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/optical%20illusions. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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